Water craft with scoop



June 20, 1967 F. R. CADDICK 3,

I WATER CRAFT WITH SCOOP Original Filed May 18, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 In Q INVENTOR:

FRAMciS R. CA 00 icx Z QW Ar RNEYs June 1967 F. R. cADmck WATER CRAFT wi'ru scoop 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.:

Original Filed May 18, 1964 INVENTOR:

June 20, 1967 F. R. CADDICK WATER CRAFT WITH SCOOP Original Filed May 18, 1964 S Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR:

Fake :5 Cnonm K A Trok n E vs United States Patent '0 3,326,379 WATER CRAFT WITH SCOOP Francis Richard Caddick, 50 Orrell Road, Bootle, Liverpool 20, England Continuation of application Ser. No. 368,137, May 18, 1964. This application Apr. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 542,972 Claims priority, application Great Britain, May 17, 1963, 19,632/ 63 15 Claims. (Cl. 210242) This application is a continuation of my co-pending application Ser. No. 368,137, filed May 18, 1964, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to cleansing devices and, more particularly, to cleansing devices for use in navigational waters.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleansing device for navigational waters which has a superior load carrying capacity than previous means for cleansing navigational waters.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a cleansing device for navigational waters having good maneuverability.

Further it is an object of the present invention to provide a cleansing device for navigational waters which can remove large floating bodies, such as pieces of timber as well as oil and sludge.

According to the present invention there is provided a cleansing device for use in navigational waters which comprises a craft on which is mounted driving means, stearing means and a lifting device for lifting flotsam from the water.

Preferably the driving means are an internal combustion engine, particularly a diesel engine, in conjunction with a propeller. Such an engine is preferably used in conjunction with a gearbox having at least one forward and a reverse gear. Preferably, the steering means comprise a rudder which may be hydraulically controlled.

The lifting device is preferably a scoop, e.g., a wire mesh scoop mounted on the end of an arm. Such an arm is preferably mounted on the front of the device according to the present invention and is capable of moving between a lifting position in which the scoop is at least partially immersed in the water and a discharging position in which all of the scoop is above the water. Further the scoop is capable of pivoting independently of the arms to facilitate its loading and emptying.

Such a pivoting is conveniently in the same plane as the movement of the arm.

The lifting device is preferably controlled hydraulically and preferably the hydraulic system used for such control features a hydraulic pump, the power for which is supplied by a take-off from the main engine.

Similarly, the rudder hydraulic system preferably utilizes a pump and a power take-off therefor from the main engine. This can be achieved 'by the use of a pulley and belt system on the power take-off for the lifting device hydraulic pump, such a system having the advantage of compactness.

Thus, more specifically the present invention provides a cleansing device for use in navigational waters which comprises a craft on which is mounted a motor which drives a propeller to move the craft along, a rudder for steering the craft, a lifting device and hydraulic control systems for the rudder and the lifting device.

The rudder controls, the lifting device controls and the motor controls, for example the starter switch and the throttle, are preferably located in a cabin which further provides weather protection for the operator.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

3,326,379 Patented June 20, 1967 FIG. 1 shows an elevation of the cleansing device according to the invention, which serves to show the general layout but does not show the hydraulic circuits,

FIG. 2 shows, diagrammatically, the hydraulic system of the cleansing device according to the invention, superimposed on a plan of the craft of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows the'liftin-g gear of the craft according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 a cleansing device according to the present invention comprises, a craft having a hull 2, a diesel motor 4 in conjunction with a gearbox 6 through which the motor 4 drives a propeller shaft 8 and hence a propeller 10. The craft is steered by a rudder 12 which is actuated by hydraulic rams 1-4. A lifting device is positioned at the front of the craft according to the present invention. Such a device has a framework 16 mounted on the hull 2, a boom 18 pivoting on pins 20, from the position in which it is shown, by the extension of the rams 22. A scoop 24 is mounted on the boom 18 and is caused to pivot about pins 26 by the extension of rams 28. The details of the operation of the lifting device and the structure thereof is dealt with below.

The hydraulic system to operate the lifting device is operated by a power take-off from the motor 4. Such a take-off utilizes a shaft 30 which drives a pump 32. The hydraulic fluid is driven through a filter 34 to a reservoir 36 (see FIG. 2)this reservoir 36 also serves as a part of the framework 16and thence round the circuit of the lifting device.

Further a belt 38 on a pulley 40 on the shaft 30 is used to drive a pump 42 via a pulley 44. The pump 42 drives hydraulic fluid through a combined filter and reservoir 46 and thence into the pipes of the rudder control hydraulic system.

Referring to FIG. 2 the hydraulic system of the device according to the present invention may be dealt with in two parts; firstly the hydraulic fluid supply to the lifting device and, secondly, the hydraulic fluid supply to the rudder. Dealing with the lifting device supply this, again, may conveniently be described in two parts; firstly, the supply to the boom operating rams 22 and, secondly, the supply to the scoop-tipping rams 28. The supply to, and from, the rams 22 is in the following manner:

Hydraulic fluid is pumped from the pump 32 along a conduit 48 to the filter 34, along a conduit 50 to the reservoir 36, into a control panel tank 52, out of the tank 52 along a conduit 54 to the bottom of the rams 22. A branch conduit 56 takes the fluid to the left hand ram 22. The fluid is returned from the rams 22 to the reservoir 52 along conduits 58 and 60v Hydraulic-fluid is pumped to the rams 28 by similar means, the hydraulic fluid going to the rams 28 from the reservoir 52 along conduits 62 and 64 and being returned to the reservoir 62 along conduits 66 and 68. I

To complete the above circuits, the hydraulic fluid is returned from the reservoir 52 to the pump 32 via a conduit 70.

Turning to the control of the rudder 12, pump 42 drives the fluid along a conduit 72 to the combined filter and reservoir 46, along a conduit 74 to a control panel tank 76 thence to the rudder operating rams 14 via conduits 78 and 80. A by-pass is provided on tank 76-. The circuit is completed by a conduit 82 which returns the fluid to the pump 42 from the tank 76.

FIG. 3 gives an accurate picture of the layout of the conduits shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 and further shows levers 84 and 86 which control valves (not shown) in the tank 52 and hence the supply of fluid to and from rams 22 and 28, lever 84 controlling valves which, in turn, control the flow to and from rams 28 and lever 86 controlling valves which, in turn, control the flow to and from rams 22. A cabin 88 is also shown. I

The cleansing device illustrated in the above FIGS. 1 to 3 operates in the followingway. The engine 4 is started and the vessel moved into the dock by the use of a throttle (not shown) and the rudder 12. The lever to control the rudder is not shown, being conventional. Conveniently, the rams 22 are partially extended so that the scoop 24 is out of the water. As the craft approaches any flotsam the gear is shifted into neutral, so that propeller ceases to rotate. This is done in such a way that the craft is a little distance away from the flotsam, suflicient distance, in fact, to permit the scoop 24 to enter the water without striking the flotsam. The scoop 24 is then lowered into the water by retraction of the rams 22. The craft is then put into gear and moved forward until the scoop 24 is beneath the flotsam. The craft is then shifted out of gear, the rams 22 are extended and the flotsam lifted from the water in the scoop 24. Forward gear is then engaged and the craft is moved to a barge or like vessel to be used for temporary storage of the flotsam. There the rams 22 are extended, if necessary, to a sufficient extent to allow the scoop to be positioned over the barge or like vessel. Then, by operation of the rams 28 the scoop is pivoted and the flotsam ejected into the barge or like vessel. After ejection the scoop is returned to its rest position (as shown in FIG. 3) and the rams 22 may be retracted as necessary. The craft is then maneuvered into the dock to pick up further flotsam. Preferably, the flotsam is loaded into one of a series of ducks which are towed by the craft according to the invention.

Certain variations in the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are possible. Thus the diesel motor 4 may be replaced by an electric motor or by a petrol motor and the propeller 10 may be replaced by the use of jets of water pumped out by a motor. Further the motor 4, gearbox 6, shaft 8 and propeller 10 may be replaced by a jet motor. The hydraulic control for the rudder 12 may be replaced by mechanical linkages or the like, and the lifting device may be operated mechanically. The hull 2 of the craft is of welded steel structure but may be of reinforced plastic The scoop 24 may be replaced by other apparatus, for example, a bucket or a cutting device.

I claim:

1. A cleansing device for removing flotsam floating on the surface of navigational waters comprising a craft for navigating said waters, driving means for said craft mounted thereon, steering means for said craft mounted thereon, power means mounted on said craft to actuate said driving means, hydraulic means to actuate said steering means, said craft having a hull, a support frame for a boom and scoop on the forward end of the hull, said support frame including transversely spaced portions projecting upwardly from the hull at locations spaced substantially rearwardly from the bow, a pair of booms having first elongated portions extending in transversely spaced interrelationship over the forward end of the bull in the general longitudinal direction of the craft, said booms further having second portions projecting respectively from said first boom portions forwardly and generally downwardly beyond the bow at an angle from said first boom portions, said first boom portions being respectively pivotally connected to said transversely spaced support frame portions at locations spaced above the hull, a rotatable scoop mounted across the lower free ends of said second boom portions, said booms being capable of raising said scoop from a position in which it is immersed in said waters to a position in which the booms are above said waters, a second hydraulic means to raise and lower said booms, and a third hydraulic means to rotate said scoop so as to discharge matter therefrom.

2. A cleansing device for navigational waters as claimed in claim 1 in which the driving means is a propeller.

3. A cleansing device for navigational waters as claimed in claim 1 in which the steering means is a rudder.

4. A cleansing device for navigational waters as claimed in claim 1 in which the power means is an internal combustion engine.

5. A cleansing device for navigational waters as claimed in claim 1 in which the scoop is a wire mesh scoop.

6. A cleansing device for removing flotsam floating on the surface of navigational waters comprising a craft for navigating said waters, a propeller mounted on said craft for propelling said craft through said waters, an internal combustion engine mounted on said craft to actuate said propeller, a rudder mounted on said craft, a first hydraulic ram means mounted on said craft to operate said rudder, said craft having a 'hull, a support frame for a boom and scoop mounted on the forward end of the hull, said support frame including transversely spaced portions projecting upwardly from the hull at locations spaced substantially rearwardly from the bow, a pair of booms pivotally mounted at the bow of said craft and projecting forward of said bow, said booms including first elongated portions extending in transversely spaced interrelationship over the front end of the hull with the inner ends pivotally connected respectively to said transversely spaced support frame portions at locations spaced above the hull, said booms including second portions projecting forwardly and generally downwardly from said first boom portions respectively and beyond the bow at an angle from said first boom portions, a wire mesh scoop rotatably mounted across the free ends of said second boom portions, a second hydraulic ram means mounted on said craft and arranged to cause said booms to pivot from a position in which said wire mesh scoop is at least partially immersed in said waters to a position in which said wire mesh scoop is clear of said waters, a third hydraulic ram means mounted on said booms and arranged to cause said wire mesh scoop to rotate sufficient- 1y to discharge matter therefrom, a first power take-off from said internal combustion engine, a first hydraulic pump mounted on said craft and arranged to be operated by said first power take-olf, a second power take-off from said internal combustion engine, a second hydraulic pump mounted on said craft and arranged to be operated by said second power take-off, conduit means for supplying hydraulic fluid from said first pump to said second hydraulic ram means, conduit means for supplying hydraulic fluid from said second pump to said first hydraulic ram means, valves interposed in each of said conduit means whereby to control the flow of said hydraulic fluid in said conduits and means to permit the manual control of said valves.

7. A water craft for removing flotsam from navigational waters comprising a hull, a support frame secured on the forward end of the hull including a pair of transversely spaced portions projecting upwardly from the hull at locations spaced substantially rearwardly from the bow, a pair of booms having a first elongated portion extending in transversely spaced interrelationship over the upper surface of the forward end of the hull in the general longitudinal direction of the craft, said booms having second portions projecting respectively from said first boom portions forwardly and generally downwardly beyond the bow at an angle from said first boom portions, said first boom portions being pivotally connected to said transversely spaced support frame portions respectively at 10- cations spaced above the hull, a pair of hydraulic rams having ends respectively anchored adjacent the bases of said support frame portions and opposite ends connected to the boom respectively at locations generally between said first and second portions of the booms, and flotsam removing means extending between the lower ends of said second boom portions and pivotally connected thereto for rotation relative to said booms.

8. The water craft defined in claim 7 wherein said hydraulic rams are constructed and positioned such that said first boom portions extend generally in horizontal planes when the rams are in fully retracted positions.

9. The water craft defined in claim 7 wherein said support frame further includes second side portions fixed at their inner ends at intermediate portions of said first mentioned frame portions respectively and extending over the hull towards the bow and terminating at the forward end of the hull, said support frame including third portions projecting upwardly from the forward end of the hull and supporting said side frame portions above the hull, and wherein there is provided a cross piece extending between and interconnecting said second boom portions, said cross piece being engageable with the support frame portions located above the forward end of the hull when the boom is in fully retracted position.

10. The water craft defined in claim 7 further including a cabin enclosure on the hull spaced inwardly from the bow behind said boom and support frame, said enclosure including a front wall facing the boom and said first recited portions of said support frame being positioned against said front wall of the enclosure.

11. The craft defined in claim 7 further including a pair of hydraulic rams having fixed ends respectively anchored to said second boom portions and further having opposite movable ends secured to said flotsam-removing means to rotate the latter.

12. The craft defined in claim 11 further including a hydraulic system for operating said rams including a reservoir which also constitutes one of said support frame portions.

13. The Water craft defined in claim 11 wherein said flotsam removing means is a generally L-shaped scoop and wherein said last recited pair of hydraulic rams associated with the scoop are pivotally connected adjacent the upper end of the scoop and are pivotally connected adjacent the upper end portions of said second boom portions such that pivotal movement of the scoop upwardly is limited and thereby precludes accidental discharge of debris rearward onto the hull.

14. The craft defined in claim 11 further including a propeller for propelling the craft, power means for driving the propeller, a rudder for steering the craft, a hydraulic system for operating said hydraulic rams and said rudder, a power take off from said power means, said hydraulic system including pump means operated by said power take off.

15. The water craft defined in claim 14 further including a cabin enclosure on the hull spaced inwardly from the bow behind said boom and support frame, said enclosure including a front wall facing the bow and said first recited portions of said support frame being positioned against said front Wall of the enclosure, and man ually operable control means for controlling and operating said hydraulic system to control operation of said rudder and said booms, said manually operable control means being located in said cabin enclosure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,486,275 10/1949 Grinwald 568 2,635,406 4/1953 Chauvin 56-8 2,807,379 9/1957 Pilch 214-14O 2,892,310 6/1959 Mercier 114150* X 3,120,314 2/1964 King 214 3,131,823 5/1964 Foster et al. 214-140 REUBEN FRIEDMAN, Primary Examiner.

J. DE CESARE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CLEANSING DEVICE FOR REMOVING FLOTSAM FLOATING ON THE SURFACE ON NAVIGATIONAL WATERS COMPRISING A CRAFT FOR NAVIGATING SAID WATERS, DRIVING MEANS FOR SAID CRAFT MOUNTED THEREON, STEERING MEANS FOR SAID CRAFT MOUNTED THEREON, POWER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CRAFT TO ACTUATE SAID DRIVING MEANS,HYDRAULIC MEANS TO ACTUATE SAID STEERING MEANS, SAID CRAFT HAVING A HULL, A SUPPORT FRAME FOR A BOOM AND SCOOP ON THE FORWARD END OF THE HULL, SAID SUPPORT FRAME INCLUDING TRANSVERSELY SPACED PORTIONS PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE HULL AT LOCATIONS SUBSTANTIALLY REARWARDLY FROM THE BOW, A PAIR OF BOOMS HAVING FIRST ELONGATED PORTIONS EXTENDING IN TRANSVERSELY SPACED INTERRELATIONSHIP OVER THE FORWARD END OF THE HULL IN THE GENERAL LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION OF THE CRAFT, SAID BOOMS FURTHER HAVING SECOND PORTIONS PROJECTING RESPECTIVELY FROM SAID FIRST BOOM PORTIONS FORWARDLY AND GENERALLY DOWNWARDLY BEYOND THE BOW AT AN ANGLE FROM SAID FIRST BOOM PORTIONS, SAID FIRST BOOM PORTIONS BEING RESPECTIVELY PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID TRANSVERSELY SPACED SUPPORT FRAME PORTIONS AT LOCATIONS SPACED ABOVE THE HULL, A ROTATABLE SCOOP MOUNTED ACROSS THE LOWER FREE ENDS OF SAID SECOND BOOM PORTIONS, SAID BOOMS BEING CAPABLE OF RAISING SAID SCOOP FROM A POSITION IN WHICH IT IS IMMERSED IN SAID WATERS TO A POSITION IN WHICH THE BOOMS ARE ABOVE SAID WATERS, A SECOND HYDRAULIC MEANS TO RAISE AND LOWER SAID BOOMS, AND A THIRD HYDRAULIC MEANS TO ROTATE SAID SCOOP SO AS TO DISCHARGE MATTER THEREFROM. 